Tuesday, March 2, 2010

send me mail!

Recently, I acquired a lovely vintage typewriter as the one I owned had long given out. Having it repaired was more of a burden than simply finding a replacement for it. So now I own this dandy little blast from the past and it's ready to give some letter writing a go!

Staring at my avocado green Royal Sabre, I contemplated on the thought that perhaps letter writing and correspondence in general may be dead. At least to a much newer generation even newer than my own. I for one have always loved receiving mail, specially a good letter one from a dear far away friend, a lover, even a parent. As a teenager in french class I often received letters from my french pen pal, we would exchange thoughts and information about our teenage lives, I would send mine in french and write about "le lycee" and "mes amis" and the pen pal in provence would write about "rock music" and "summer memories" in english. This all leads me to a most perfect rant and rave on the lost art of letter writing.

There was a time when writing letters was our only means of communicating over long distances. In today's world, we can pick up a phone and speak to anyone anywhere in a second or two. I have found, in my not very scientific research, that most people prefer to use the phone when they have something to say. Speed and ease of use are the main reasons. Whether personal or business related, people pick up a phone to talk or text before they pick up a pen (or sit in front of their computer).Most people enjoy the one on one of a personal conversation. Interacting is an important component of communication. However, there are times when writing is better.Sure, it's nice to hear someone say, "Darling, I love you." But to read it in a letter, knowing someone took the time to write it, makes it that much better. It is permanent, and almost delicious! And even if, at some time in the future they take those words back, you still have a permanent record of it. Once written, you can read it over and over again, and cherish it time after time, knowing that someone cared enough to take the time to write. After all, writing is not an automatic response. It requires thought and concentration, and effort. People often speak without thought, it is for the most part, an automatic response.

Let us not forget the e-mail and instant message and text message, oh my! Why take the time to write a heartfelt letter when you can sit down(or not), put your thoughts into a few brief sentences (often incomplete and with abbreviated language) and send it off into the vast world of the internet!

I love receiving three page, heart-felt, soppy letters, filled with words carefully chosen and eternal. Maybe I'm just a hopelessly romantic dreamer, or just downright old-fashioned.Imagine, cards and letters filled with genuine sincerity from both the author and sender...you. Try it you'll like it, and so will your loved ones when they receive it. And who knows, maybe they'll write you back. Won't you feel special then!

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About Me

Hello, my name is Diana. I live in an old house at the top of a hill with my husband, dog and two cats. I like chronicling my time spent in the kitchen, out in the world and in my mind. Learning along the way, that less is indeed more.